§ 30-11-124 — Fire planning authority

(1) The board of county commissioners
of each county in the state, subject to the requirements of section 25-7-123, C.R.S.,
may prepare, adopt, and implement a county fire management plan that details
individual county policies on fire management for prescribed burns, fuels
management, or natural ignition burns on lands owned by the state or county. Such
plans shall be developed in coordination with the county sheriff, the division of fire
prevention and control in the department of public safety, and the appropriate state
and local governmental entities. All interested parties shall have the opportunity to
comment on the plan prior to its adoption and implementation.

(2) County fire management plans created pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section shall:

(a) Clearly define appropriate responses in order to mitigate immediate
threats to public safety; and

(b) Set forth the conditions under which prescribed or natural ignition fires
shall be managed.

(3) Any county that adopts and adheres to a county fire management plan
shall be accorded liability protection pursuant to article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.

(4) Federal government agencies, subject to the provisions of sections 25-7-106 (7) and (8) and 25-7-114.7 (2)(a)(III), C.R.S., and private landowners may enter
into memoranda of understanding with the board of county commissioners to
include public or private lands that are within the boundaries of the county under
the county fire management plan. Counties may purchase an indemnification
insurance policy and private landowners who enter into memoranda of
understanding with the board shall have the opportunity to opt into such policy.

(5) Nothing in this section shall infringe upon or otherwise affect the ability
of agricultural producers to conduct burning on their property.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2000: Entire section added, p. 1304, � 8, effective May 26. L. 2013: (1) amended, (SB 13-083), ch. 249, p. 1310, � 15, effective May 23.